Look around here in the forums. I'm sure someone at some point has linked the FCC mandate that they provide the cable cards. It's slightly not legal to do that. If they hold their position, get beligerant and tell them with all the money you spend on cable you expect to be provided with a better piece of equipment then their peice of @#$@ DVR and this is your way of keeping the peace.

no, they only provide cards via their install. First question from CSR was what TV do you have. Tried to reason with them about using in box but that went no where. While I could lie and get them out, my fear is that they wouldn't do the install when they arrived and/or would only provide one.

You just have to be persistent. I had a decent amount of frustration getting mine installed and working correctly. Required well over half a dozen calls, two visits, and a non-visit. Keep calling to you get someone who can assist.

Just tell them that you have 2 HD TVs that you want to need to install the cable cards in (find a Samsung TV on their site that takes cables cards and tell them you have 2 of those). Then, when the installer gets there, tell them that you misspoke over the phone and that you have the new TiVo. Everything should be fine. The installer won't care what he's installing them in

All major cable companies (MSOs) are required by the FCC's 'Plug-and-Play' order to provide CableCARDs to any customer using any UDCR (Uni-Directional Cable Receiver) device on CableLabs list of certified, verified or self- verified cable products. The TiVo Series3 HD DVR product is on this list.

All major cable companies (MSOs) are required by the FCC's 'Plug-and-Play' order to provide CableCARDs to any customer using any UDCR (Uni-Directional Cable Receiver) device on CableLabs list of certified, verified or self- verified cable products. The TiVo Series3 HD DVR product is on this list.

Wasn't there a special number to call for CC issues? I thought I remembered that...

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All major cable companies (MSOs) are required by the FCC's 'Plug-and-Play' order to provide CableCARDs to any customer using any UDCR (Uni-Directional Cable Receiver) device on CableLabs list of certified, verified or self- verified cable products. The TiVo Series3 HD DVR product is on this list.

All major cable companies (MSOs) are required by the FCC's 'Plug-and-Play' order to provide CableCARDs to any customer using any UDCR (Uni-Directional Cable Receiver) device on CableLabs list of certified, verified or self- verified cable products. The TiVo Series3 HD DVR product is on this list.

What about non-major cable companies -- are there any legal exceptions where small providers can refuse to cooperate?

All major cable companies (MSOs) are required by the FCC's 'Plug-and-Play' order to provide CableCARDs to any customer using any UDCR (Uni-Directional Cable Receiver) device on CableLabs list of certified, verified or self- verified cable products.

"MSO" stands for "Multiple System Operator". This is "FCC jargon" for all the "big guys" such as Comcast, Time-Warner (etc.) that operate cable systems in more than one locality.

Due to the significant consolidation that occured in the cable industry over the last 15 years (i.e., mergers and acquisitions) nearly every metropolitan community is served by an MSO. However, small independent cable operators do still exist, particularly in rural areas. Also, there are literally thousands of small, private cable systems that serve apartment buildings or condominiums (but those are disappearing, too, as the local MSO or telco comes in and makes the building owners or board of directors an "offer they can't refuse") ...

Many of these small cable systems don't even offer digital cable, much less a Cable Card. In fact, a "rule of thumb" is: "If they have Cable Cards, they are probably an MSO."

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William C. McCain
Palo Alto, California

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"MSO" stands for "Multiple System Operator". This is "FCC jargon" for all the "big guys" such as Comcast, Time-Warner (etc.) that operate cable systems in more than one locality.

Due to the significant consolidation that occured in the cable industry over the last 15 years (i.e., mergers and acquisitions) nearly every metropolitan community is served by an MSO. However, small independent cable operators do still exist, particularly in rural areas. Also, there are literally thousands of small, private cable systems that serve apartment buildings or condominiums (but those are disappearing, too, as the local MSO or telco comes in and makes the building owners or board of directors an "offer they can't refuse") ...

Many of these small cable systems don't even offer digital cable, much less a Cable Card. In fact, a "rule of thumb" is: "If they have Cable Cards, they are probably an MSO."

How does one know whether their cable provider fits the MSO category or not? Is there anywhere that gives an official list? I specifically have Mediacom in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm pretty sure they don't offer cablecards at all though I've not specifically asked them yet. I'm just wondering if I call them and they say they don't offer them at all, do I have any recourse if they do fit in the MSO category?

I'm seriously considering the S3 but not sure I want to pay that much yet. I do have an S1 with lifetime that qualify for the service transfer, but $1,000 by the time it's all done is a bit steep for me. Still considering, but if I find out my local cable provider doesn't even provide cable cards then I guess there's nothing to consider.

Do you really need cable cards "installed"? i have a cable card in one of my TV's. The Comcast guy showed up. "installed" the card. Got on his cell and read the numbers that appeared on the screen to someone on the phone. 30 seconds later he was walking out the door and my TV was on. Wasn't that the whole point of cable card, that you don't need the cable company to install it?